10 Tips for Saving on Holiday Travel Right Now

Written by: Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell11/14/12 - 12:19 PM EST

NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Nearly 60% of holiday travelers surveyed by ShopatHome.com said they were waiting to book because they are afraid they will miss out on deals, and only 11% were booking now to lock in their plans.

That 58% who were waiting are taking a bit of a gamble, while those booking now have a number of ways to save. We've put together a list of some of the best travel tips by the experts to help you put more cash into your pocket this holiday season:

1. Don't delay: Experts agree booking airfare now will help you save. "Airfare has increased substantially, and will continue to increase as we approach the busy holiday travel periods," says Omar Ghumrawi, director at PremierAwardsBookings.com. "The more one delays, the higher the risk of a combination of a substantial increase in ticket prices and/or travelers forced to sub-optimal routings to keep costs reasonable."

2. Join up: Jon Lal, frequent traveler and founder of &#8232;BeFrugal.com, says taking advantage of loyalty and membership programs is one of his No. 1 tips. "These programs helps you take advantage of points for perks," he says.

3. Look for website promo codes: Most of us know by now that many airlines now charge for booking over the phone rather than online. Lal says you should go a step further: "Always look for a promo code for a discount on your travel needs. Earn cash back for free by clicking through a cash back shopping website to the travel company like an airline or hotel you are booking with." Remember that airlines are not the only ones to offer discounts online. If you're taking a ski vacation, there could be coupons and extra savings online, says Rebecca Steffan, senior public relations manager for the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council.

4. Act your age: You may not feel like you're a "senior citizen," but some travel companies and websites give discounts to "seniors" as young as 50. If you're unsure if you can get a discount, Lal says, "It never hurts to ask."

5. Get the timing right: Know when the best booking times are, as well as the best times to fly to get a discount. "Many airlines compete with each other to have the lowest prices for their flights. Knowing when those ticket prices are the cheapest is a great way to save money," says Mathias Friess, CEO of webjet.com. "Typically, Wednesday afternoons is the best time to buy flights. Many airlines will lower their prices until they cannot any longer and then begin increasing them again." Some travel experts say booking in the early morning is a good time. "Airlines update their revenue management systems overnight and often will release limited inventory of lower-priced seats after reviewing booking patterns," says Mark Drusch, chief supplier relations officer of OneTravel.com. One thing the experts do agree on: If you fly on the holiday itself, it is typically cheaper. "Christmas Day is often the beginning of low season for some destinations, but Christmas Eve is still peak season," says Peggy Goldman, travel expert for FriendlyPlanet.com.